User’s News is a targeted harm reduction resource for people who use illicit drugs.

Jul 2 FEEDING BACK THE UN SURVEY

Users News would like to thank all the readers who completed and returned the UN evaluation survey published in December 2015. Here are some of the results:.

Who replied?

108 people replied, ages were from 23 to 65Just over half are NUAA members9% identified as Aboriginal and or Torres Strait IslanderNearly 9% were in jail at the time of the survey

About 3 in 4 readers share their copy of UN with at least one other person with about 1 in 5 readers sharing their copy with four or more people. This means with online and paper copies, UN is reaching about 50,000 people.

WHAT YOU THINK OF UN

Most people think UN is easy to read (94%) and there is a good balance of information, stories and humour (91%). A lot of people (65%) keep their copy for reference.

IS UN A USEFUL RESOURCE?

Most readers (81%) said UN gives then information about hep C that you could not access anywhere else and 91% said that the information on hep C prevention, treatment and testing. This information changed the way most readers (70%) thought about hep c and other blood borne viruses.

UN is also a good safer injecting resource with 83% agreeing they learn things from UN about safer injecting that they didn’t learn elsewhere. A huge 84% share the information they learn from UN with others! Huge!

Most important, the information led to safer practices with 61% agreeing they had changed how they inject or used drugs after reading UN.

Less than half of readers (45%) would rather their family and friends didn’t know they read UN with the rest of the people that filled out the survey either fine with it or not caring.

WHY YOU READ UN

People who use illicit drugs are represented in a way that respects and values them (90%)UN is written by people who use drugs (89%)UN includes news, tips, information and views that are important to me (89%)Readers trust the information on hep C and injecting is accurate and up-to-date (81%)Readers can identify with the stories (82%)69.8% said UN made them “feel connected to a community” 67% ticked that they could “use the tips on safer injecting in real life.”

63 readers left comments, here is a sample

“UN = empowerment” “WE can submit OUR stories”…“glad to see less of the tragedy-porn and more of the empowerment oriented content recently.”

“Thanks for all the great work you do. I really love feeling like a valued member of a worthwhile group in the community, too often we are discriminated against so it feels good to have friends that understand and care.” “…Absolutely love the magazine. Taught me a lot, thank you all” ….”

“It’s one of the best mags locally and internationally. Great that it goes regional” …“When my mother first saw my mag and knew it was “written by bloody druggos” she didn’t want a bar of it. But once I forced her to read it, she instantly subscribed to the mailing list” ….” “You are great, more than I expected and I keep every copy” …

“Like the recipes! Love the general positiveness!” “…Thanks for letting me read this mag. It breaks up the boredom in jail and makes my day” “…. Sweet mag. We need more mags like this” “…. I luv, luv, luv User’s News due to the fact that it’s a mag combining great informative user stories and necessary need to know info in its articles. If you take the time to read them all and remember 2 or 3 small points” “...you will lessen your chances of spreading or catching blood borne viruses, decrease your chances of having a dirty short and save a life or even two”

“…Thanks for giving all users a voice and showing we are not all criminals or degenerates but morally good working people with dreams and hopes just like everyone else” “…Have always loved ur magazine. You always have great stories, information on other subjects.”